BAAG reports

BAAG: Humanitarian context & recommendations, April 2015

In the run up to the British general election, BAAG worked with the Humanitarian group of BOND, the UK network of aid organisations, to produce a series of briefing papers for the new cohort of British MPs. BAAG contributed a paper outlining the current humanitarian context and needs in Afghanistan, and presented a short series of priority recommendations for MPs to consider.

On 3rd December 2014, BAAG hosted the Ayenda Conference, the civil society associated event of the London Conference on Afghanistan. 250 attendees, including 53 Afghan civil society representatives, discussed development and rights priorities & recommendations for the new Afghan government and international donors. This report captures the messages of that day, along with those from preliminary discussions and various position papers prepared by Afghan and international civil society. It aims to disseminate Afghan-focused development and humanitarian expertise to an international audience of practitioners, policy makers and donors and inform both future national and international policy related to Afghanistan and future civil society programming and initiatives.

BAAG: Monthly report, March 2015

Our monthly 2-sider review of the key news and developments from Afghanistan - which in March included the new President and CEO's visit to America, further avalanches, and national & international outrage at the mob killing of a woman in Kabul.

BAAG: Monthly report, February 2015

BAAG's monthly 2-page review of the key news and developments from Afghanistan. February 2015 saw some progress in appointment of a new Cabinet, though strong reactions against the lack of female representation, reports of increasing civilian casualties, deadly avalanches in the north and east and the national cricket team's first match win in the one day World Cup.

BAAG: Monthly report, January 2015

BAAG's monthly report returns after a short hiatus. This 2-page summary of the key news from the country provides a snap-shot of development, rights and political news. January 2015 included news on the delayed formation of the Cabinet, demonstrations regarding freedom of expression and new pledges of development assistance and trade cooperation.

BAAG: Summary report of the Ayenda Conference, December 2014

BAAG organised and hosted the half-day Ayenda Conference on 3rd December 2015. This was the offical civil society associate event of the London Conference on Afghanistan. This report provides a brief summary of the event - its structure, attendees, content and feedback. A full report is being drafted, which is expected to be published in February 2015.

BAAG: Synthesis of Afghan & International Civil Society Papers for The London Conference on Afghanistan, December 2014

BAAG produced this helpful synthesis of the numerous Afghan and international civil society papers prepared ahead of the London Conference on Afghanistan. It aims to provide a snap-shot of the common and key recommendations coming from both groups, providing a simplified background to some of the more detailed points raised in the LCA and BAAG's Ayenda Conference. Thanks to ENNA for their contributions to this report.

BAAG: Letter from Prime Minister Cameron, November 2014

BAAG wrote to British Prime Minister David Cameron in October, asking for the government's continued support to new the new Afghan President. We received the response below which highlighted the role of civil society in shaping and supporting Afghanistan.

GAPS & BAAG: Women’s Rights in the Future Development Framework, October 2014

Ahead of the London Conference on Afghanistan (4th December 2014), Gender Action for Peace & Security UK (GAPS UK) members and those BAAG members supporting women's rights programmes prepared the attached document for the British government. Members advocated for greater participation of Afghan women in the conference, follow up and decision making generally, along with practical implementation of laws and activities to improve women's rights in Afghanistan.

BAAG: Letter welcoming President Ahmadzai, October 2014

On the occassion of his inauguration, BAAG has written to congratulate President Ashraf Ghani Ahmadzai. As he considers the priority plans and activities for his government, BAAG and it's members call on him to consider two core development themes: the protection of human rights and the participation of civil society in decision making and programming. BAAG will host a key civil society event ahead of the joint Afghan-British London Conference on Afghanistan in November, which will provide further opportunities for civil society, the Afghan government and the international community to work together on development matters.

ACBAR: Transforming development beyond Transition, October 2014

BAAG's partner in Afghanistan, ACBAR, have produced 4 thematic and 1 summary position paper for the London Conference on Afghanistan, on 4th December. These papers reflect the progress made since their previous papers for the Tokyo conference in 2012, and highlight the continuing needs, challenges and recommendations. Their papers are on Women's Rights, Aid Effectiveness, Service Delivery and Governance.

BAAG: Getting it Right - Examining Gender Programming in Afghanistan, October 2014

Gender programmes have been a large focus for international and local civil society in the past 13 years. There have been some successes, but there have also been many complications and some failures. BAAG has investigated these issues through a series of discussions with gender experts, from Afghanistan and the wider international community. This report captures the debates, opinions and recommendations of the participants of our Getting it Right conference in March 2014 and the earlier discussions with visiting women's rights activists and gender experts.

BAAG: Monthly report, August 2014

Our monthly 2-page review of the core news and developments from Afghanistan. August saw continued wrangling over the election run-off vote audit. Security incidents continued, and Kabul was rocked by a brutal criminal attack on the men and women of a family travelling home.

BAAG: Monthly report, September 2014

Our monthly 2-page review of the key news and developments from Afghanistan. September 2014 finally saw resolution to the drawn-out and questionable presidential elections. In other news, intense fighting in Helmand province continued to take a toll, corruption offenses were pursued and Afghans found creative ways to spread messages of peace and reconciliation.

NATO: Response from the Secretary General to ENNA & BAAGs letter, July 2014

In June, ENNA (the European Network of NGOs in Afghanistan) and BAAG wrote to the Secretary General of NATO on their recommendations ahead of the September 2014 NATO Summit. The attached response from Ander Fogh Rasmussen was received in July. In it, he states his agreement that forming a permanent position for the currently temporary Special Representative for Women, Peace & Security is a priority. He also refers to the development of the UNSCR 1325 Action Plan, and to the progress made by the ISAF Gender Adviser since her deployment in April.